The Maulde Valley
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The Maulde Valley
Saint-Martin-Château

The Maulde Valley

Expertise
Heritage site and architecture
Lakes and rivers
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Hike along the Maude valley, near the Jarrauds waterfall.
A few steps away from the Jarrauds waterfall is the Maulde valley. On this fast hike, you will discover magnificently carved granite plank bridges as well as sunken paths and ancient fisheries.

6 points of interest

  • Heritage site

    Detour to Saint-Martin-Château

    Situated between two rocky spurs, the Jarrauds waterfall is close to the village of Saint-Martin-Château which is full of heritage treasures. The detour by the trail leading to the village (distance: Five hundred metres from the car park) allows you to appreciate a 12th-century church, stone statues, a carved cross, a sarcophagus, dry stone walls and traditional granite houses.
  • Small patrimony

    The village fountain

    A niche of granite blocks with a grindstone as a cover to protect the purity of the water and two protruding stones for the seals. This was the only water point in the village of Saint Martin Château, a meeting place for the inhabitants of the village who had to fetch water several times a day.
  • Small patrimony

    The plank “bridges”

    These are rustic bridges with large granite slabs as their deck. The planks of Verrière are remarkable for their size, those of Pont for their regularity. Both offer great views of the river. These are pedestrian crossings, with wagons and animals using the ford crossing the bridge.
  • Small patrimony

    Fisheries

    Dug in the upper part of the meadows, they retain the water that used to be used for irrigation ditches: “the levades”. In this way, the spring growth of the grass was encouraged. Near the village, the women used to come here to rinse the ashes they used for washing clothes. This is the habitat of numerous amphibians: the frog, the salamander and the marbled newt recognisable by the male’s dorsal crest.
  • Small patrimony

    Rural paths

    Often lined with low walls, these famous sunken paths are inseparable from the Limousin landscape, and are to be found everywhere, especially when going down to the Verrières bridge. On the other hand, they may be raised to make the passage of very wet areas easier: An excellent example of this arrangement is clearly visible between the village of Pont and the bridges of the same name.
  • River

    The Maulde

    It has its source on the Plateau de Millevaches and feeds Lake Vassivière. Its particularly clear water is conducive to the development of beds of the aquatic plant water starwort. With a bit of care, you should be able to see the white-throated dipper, which flies very quickly at the water’s edge. This bird, the size of a blackbird, feeds on insects that it seeks out in the water beneath the rocks.

Description

  1. At the entrance of the car park for the Jarrauds waterfall, take the path that goes uphill.
  2. When you get to the road, turn left to go up the centre.
  3. Continue alongside the church on the right, take the downhill path to the right of the town hall and then follow the road on the left.
  4. Continue straight ahead on the path going down and then rejoin the road to the right. Then turn left. At the intersection go straight ahead and continue alongside the Auberge de la Cascade on the road for 400 m.
  5. Turn left onto the downhill path, cross the Maulde on the plank bridge, then continue straight ahead.
  6. At the intersection, turn left and continue on the sunken path for 800 m.
  7. Then turn left, cross the Maulde a second time on the plank bridge, then turn right onto the uphill path.
  8. When you get to the road, follow it to the right for 150 m before arriving at the car park.
  • Departure : Cascade des Jarrauds car park (D51 A2), Saint Martin Château
  • Arrival : Cascade des Jarrauds car park (D51 A2), Saint Martin Château
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Martin-Château

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

Equip yourself with shoes and clothing suitable for hiking. Choose a hiking circuit that matches your abilities. Plan for provisions and water supplies according to the route you will take. Respect nature, collect up your rubbish and do not pick too much. Respect other users

Access and parking

16 km from Bourganeuf via the D51 road

More information


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